8.2 magnitude earthquake strikes off northern coast of Chile

APRIL 2014 – CHILE – A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile’s northern coast Tuesday night, and officials ordered an evacuation of coastal areas before an expected tsunami. At least five people were reportedly killed from the powerful tremor, which also shook buildings in parts of nearby Peru and Bolivia. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake at 8.0, but later upgraded the magnitude. It said the quake struck 61 miles (99 kilometers) northwest of the Chilean city of Iquique at 8:46 p.m., hitting a region that has been rocked by numerous quakes over the past two weeks. Waves measuring almost 2 meters (6 ½ feet) already were striking cities on the coast, and authorities said a tsunami was expected to come ashore later. Local TV images showed residents evacuating calmly. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert for all of Latin America’s Pacific coast. Chile’s Emergency Office…